Joel Osteen Unsure if Jesus Was Poor

Lakewood Church leader Joel Osteen, one of the most popular megachurch pastors in the world, has spoken in an interview about the prosperity gospel some say he teaches and offered his thoughts on whether Jesus was poor.

"I never really thought about that," Osteen said when asked by NorthJersey.com about Jesus' finances in preparation for a signing for his new book, I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life , to be held on Wednesday at Northvale, N.J.

"I've heard that when he was arrested and crucified, they sold his robe, and it was 'seamless.' And I've heard people say that was a fine robe that they sold," Osteen says. "But I never really thought about whether he was poor or not. I think his needs were supplied."

Osteen's comments were largely in response to the ongoing criticism he receives that he preaches a "prosperity gospel," which claims that material blessings should be expected when one donates money to a church or ministry.

[TBC: Joel Osteen has demonstrated on more than one occasion his lack of knowledge concerning the most basic Bible questions (see: http://www.thebereancall.org/content/july-2005-extra). The needs of our Lord were certainly provided by His Father, but concerning his financial status, Jesus stated, "...Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Luke:9:58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.).